Tag Archives: teamsters local 767 members

Labor Day is for the W-O-R-K-E-R-S

5 Sep

Every Labor Day, I wonder if the kids staring at parade floats really understand the roots of this holiday. With battles for worker equality still raging against women and minority groups, the War on American Labor is far from over. Furthermore, the progress earned by all is never more than a few bad politicians away from disaster. Securing the working futures of our children is dependent upon educating the next generation.

Labor Day is a fantastic opportunity to share history with our sons and daughters.

(I’d argue the call for organization in the labor movement is not dwindling given political, corporate America’s continued discrimination against workers’ rights, especially in the past year.)

The Dropkick Murphys are a current voice for American workers, not just with the MTV generation but for all who have seen them perform at numerous rallies nationwide.

Even Chad Vader, Darth Vader’s parodied, younger brother, also has his take regarding working on Labor Day at the Empire Market (filmed in Madison, WI, naturally):

Brothers and Sisters, happy Labor Day! Enjoy your holiday, and remember to share and honor its meaning with your little ones, friends, and families.

Teamsters stand with CWA and IBEW to secure the future for all workers’ rights!

20 Aug

When Verizon’s eastern division refused to bargain with officials from the CWA and IBEW regarding maintenance of basic contractual language and over a billion dollars worth of employee concessions, 45,000 workers hit the streets in protest.

Because a hit to one worker is a step backward from progress for all workers, the Teamsters were there at the request of the I.B.T. to send support and stand in solidarity. The message: WE ARE ONE. If politicians and corporate executives want to send our jobs over seas, the people can band together in protest with a resounding, “NO!” There can be zero allowances for outsourcing, offshoring, or anything that takes jobs away from American families, thus putting the basic tenets of unionism, economic independence, and American pride at risk.

There is no reason for Verizon, with its billions of dollars in profit, to demand its workforce to make concessions that will impact the economy for all Americans. It’s deliberate corporate warfare against consumers as well as the working class and completely unconscionable.

Beginning this week, Verizon will resume negotiations with union leadership in good faith as it has for the past two contracts. The strike is over (at least for now), which is great news for the 45,000 families who were scheduled to lose all medical benefits after August 31st. Striking workers are to report back to regular duties on Tuesday, according to the official CWA web site.

Let’s continue to show these workers our unity. If you have a Verizon account, remind the company that you support the workers and want to see its wireless division unionized as well.

Even though there was no official call to duty or notification on behalf of Teamsters Local Union 767 President Wesley Jenkins regarding the CWA’s organized picket line, volunteers from the membership were still there to support solidarity and represent union pride on the rainy Saturday morning. The CWA members were a great bunch of folks, adding, “Next time you guys need us, let us know. We’re there to help!”

Fight the good fight, and stand strong!

All images: Beatrice Garcia, with exception of second-to-last: Karen Berry.

Teamsters Local 767 Members Honor Fallen Navy SEALs

9 Aug

Saturday’s Navy Chinook helicopter crash in Afghanistan has weighed heavily on the shoulders of so many. The lives of 30 Americans — 22 of which were from SEAL Team 6 — were lost during the rescue mission when their helicopter was hit by a rocket propelled grenade fired by the Taliban. 

Deepest respect and honor is given to all military personnel for their service. However, we must give more than just our thoughts and prayers in times like these. Saturday’s tragic loss is a also reminder that we must come together as Brothers and Sisters to care for the families of these fallen heroes. They offered their lives for our country, our values, and everything Americans everywhere have worked so hard to achieve. We should protect their legacies in return.

In a show of solidarity, each of us should consider donating to the Navy Seal Foundation, which is an organization well-known for its work with military families. Because donating should be easy, the foundation has set up a TEXT drive for those of us who wish to make a one-time ten dollar donation to be added to your phone bill. Simply text the word SEAL to 90999.

You might also check out these other links:

Comprehensive list of links for helping military personnel in variety of methods

 Support for families, veterans, active duty spouses, and children

Fisher House, for families who need housing while loved ones are being treated and in long-term care

Walter Reed Medical Center

Volunteer with Patriot Guard

Put on your Teamster shirts, meet the troops, and let’s show that we care.

On Strike: Verizon

7 Aug

At 12:01 a.m. this morning, 45,000 Verizon East workers represented by CWA and IBEW officially went on strike. 

These employees are fighting to protect healthcare, pension, fair pay raises, and many other contractual benefits that Verizon should rightfully honor — especially given the company’s monumental, fiscal success. No excuses.

Last month, members of IBEW 2222 demonstrated union solidarity when they joined picket lines with Teamsters from TLU25.  Now is the time for us to show these hard working men and women that we support their efforts to ensure fair labor for the future of all Americans.

Our thoughts are focused on a quick contract resolution for these CWA and IBEW workers and their families.

To help, sign up here for updates and mobilization information.

If you are a Teamster who, like many of us, purchased a Verizon Wireless service or product out of respect for the company’s unionized employees, you might also want to contact customer service and remind them of that: 1-800-922-0204.

Email Verizon here.

We are ONE.

Know your rights: Weingarten Rights

2 Aug know your rights

When you are called to speak with management for investigatory or disciplinary action, you are allowed to have a union representative observe the meeting. This representative should ideally be a business agent or a steward, although many contracts state if neither are present, another union member may participate instead.

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Applause: Karen Berry

2 Aug Respect

The world could use a few more Teamsters like Karen Berry.

Karen Berry, DFW UPS Combo

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